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Showing posts from February, 2012

I'm moving!

Sadly not to London...boo hoo but moving to a smaller apartment within the city. Less rent and less space so I can downsize (though it's still going to be crammed to the rafters...that's what happens when you have a huge Beatles collection, are sentimental and are a traveler/photographer) AND travel more. It is in a 55 plus apartment which freaks me out a bit especially when I see little old ladies in walkers toddling along the hallways but there are people my own age living there including a long time friend. It is in a highrise and on the 7th floor with a lovely view and an absolutely huge balcony. I wish a bit of that balcony was inside but oh well. I have new carpet, lino and counter tops so am happy. When I moved into my current place over five years ago I was promised new countertops and sink as well as refinished cupboards - it took three years to get the countertops and sink and I am still waiting for the refinished cupboards. Bet the next person gets them!

Reflections on my trip

I haven't had a chance to do this before but as I am here looking after the critters and it's a pretty quiet Saturday night... Two trips back to back was hectic but absolutely wonderful. I loved my trip to Europe and being there for Christmas was really special. Great to see my friend Claudia again and we are discussing future places to meet up...I LOVED Salzburg. Paris was great...I loved the freedom of wandering around at my leisure...London anytime is wonderful and I already miss it - I have a London calender at work and have found myself murmuring sweet nothings to it..."I miss you, I love you..". What can I say, I have it bad...Oh well it's been a 37 year love affair and still going strong!! I adored my trip to California and Texas as well. I miss my southern California beaches so much...when I was crossing a busy street today the thought crossed my mind "I wish I was crossing the Pacific Coast Highway" going to the beach"! I will be back somed

Hanging out with the critters

Yes I am petsitting... For a dog, cat and guinea pig. It's been interesting to say the least. However I love animals and it's nice to have them in my life again even for just a short time. I did petsitting for nearly five years - I started six weeks after I lost my beloved doggie in 2005. The first gig was rather sad as I kept calling the dog by my dog's name and then getting all teary....but I've looked after some great animals and well some not so great....or should I word it nicely and just say unforgettable! I think I could write a book on that chapter of my life! When I gave up my car it made pet sitting a bit more difficult and then when I started working temporary full time it just made it almost impossible. The two year break has been good and not sure I am keen to pursue the local petsitting thing on a regular basis... The long term plan is to do some "long distance" petsitting. I am hoping to take care of a friend's dog in Chicago this fall...a w

Quirky Austin

Well what can I say I absolutely loved Austin. I do want to go back someday. It is not your typical Texan town although not having been to any other place I don't know for sure. From what Sovay says San Antonio doesn't have the harmonous cultural mix that Austin does. (but I still want to go there!) I met Sovay Monday morning - she knocked on our adoining door and said I've come to have tea! So I had my coffee and she made tea and we had a great chat. What a nice lady. I'd say she is in her 30's - she was born in Texas but raised and attended university in Washington D.C. She came back to Texas in 04. She is a hair dresser and also..she has a degree, owns five properties as well as her own hair salon...what a go getter! Very interesting lady. I will definitely stay there again. I wish we had had more time to visit but she was out of town at a family funeral most of the weekend. Here is a link to where I stayed - for some reason my photos of her place a

A walk in the snow!

Today I did a 10km walk along the Lady Bird lake trail and to the Barton Springs pool. It was chilly today but I was shocked when it started snowing - didn't think it was THAT cold! Oh well better than rain and it didn't last long. Freaked out the Texans though! And today I was dressed for the weather so I was fine. Lady Bird lake is long and seems like a river to me and to make things more confusing there is a street called Riverview Drive beside it. ??? Anyway the Barton Springs Pool was interesting - the water is constantly 68F. Still too cold for me! There were two hardy souls in there swimming. The Springs is the heart and soul of Austin according to Sovay's dad...it was interesting to read about the history of it. I went back to Whole Foods after the walk and had a piece of pizza..very good...bacon, peppers, chicken and blue cheese...my egg and toast for breakfast was long burnt off. I then carried on to REI - a sporting goods store like Mountain Equipment Co-op but I

Great day

Yes yesterday was a good day. Could not blog last night as the internet was down. Having a relaxing morning before I head out for another exploration. Sovay is not around as had to go to a funeral but will be back today..she is the owner of the house. Her dad lives out back so I met him briefly yesterday. This house looks tiny from the front but goes way back...It is so quaint and interesting. You can keep your McMansions and ugly houses with two/three car garages...I would take something old and interesting like this anyday. I headed off to sign in for the walk first thing yesterday morning - the walk box is very convenient so that's good as I will be back there today. I decided to do the 6 km downtown walk rather than the 11 km one as the 6 km covered everything I wanted to do and I knew I'd be spending time in the museum and state capital. I also knew there was a farmers market on so made a slight detour to visit it. I got myself a half pound of coffee beans so now I am set.

Howdy from Texas Y'all!

Well after a pretty sleepness night worrying over whether the taxi driver would show up and other things (amazing how bad things seem at 2 a.m.) the driver showed up bang on time and I got to the airport and luggage checked etc. and time for a coffee and scone. The flights were good - I flew through Dallas/Fort Worth. I had booked a shuttle so got door to door service. I usually like to take public transit but it sounded too complicated so I decided to make life easy for myself. The house is darling. Basically I have half the house - the front half - kitchen, living room/dining room, bathroom and bedroom. Sovay, the owner is in the back I have yet to meet her as she is not home yet. I must remember to go out and get cream as she has left coffee here and loads of stuff. She has at least one dog but no barks - just heard tags jangling and panting. Very well trained! I am sitting on a leather couch as I write this with a huge wooden coffee table in front of me filled with magazines/info o

I gave up Paul for birds and otters....

Well today was my last day in California...tomorrow I fly to Austin, Texas for three days. Paul McCartney finally got his star on Hollywood & Vine. I knew nothing about this when I booked my trip. At first I was excited but then reality set in...a three hour trip EACH way - two busses and two trains...standing for hours and probably not even seeing him. I dithered all week but finally decided no I would not make the trek to Hollywood. I must be getting old...or maybe just gaining some sanity - who knows. Six years ago I camped out all night in New York City to get him to autograph a book...had a blast but I don't know that I'd do that now. Ugh...I AM old! Anyway I am glad he got his recognition at long last. This morning I went to the Sugar Shack in Huntington Beach for breakfast - had a "lite" breakfast which as scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast. The Sugar Shack was voted best breakfast 'in the OC' for several years running...it was good but of cours

Beach day!

The sun came out again today (yay!) so off I went to the beach...well a few beaches! First off I hopped the bus down to Huntington Beach and had breakfast at a Hawaiian themed place. It's so nice to sit outside for meals... I realized I had forgotten to take pain meds and did not have any on me so went to CVS pharmacy and got a big bottle of Aleve. I wanted to buy some more anyway. I just missed the bus so walked up to the dog beach but not as much activity there today. I then got the bus to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands which are in the north end of Huntington Beach. I found it quite boring to be honest....and my eyes were peeled for snakes - not my favourite critter....so I went back to the bus stop which happened to be on the beach. So I stood and watched the surfers. There is a walking path that goes from that bus stop and just carries on down the highway....I think you could pretty well walk to Laguna Beach on walking paths/sidewalks. Awesome! I got the bus south and went back to B

Where did the sun go?

It disappeared today but they tell me it will be back tomorrow - hope so!!! It was a bit on the chilly side today - yeah cry me a river I know...but compared to the day before. I actually had to wear my jacket and it rained on and off but nothing serious. Most of the rain has come after I was in for the evening. This place is noisier than the Art Hotel - let's just say the walls are like paper and leave it like that.... Anyway I had a light breakfast at Cappy's next door - just sourdough toast and coffee. Then I hopped on the bus and got off along the highway and walked downhill to the coffee shop where the Balboa/Newport Beach walks started from. I grabbed another coffee and sat outside at a table and went through all the walks. I decided to do a 5km as the weather was very iffy and when they predicted rain I thought they actually meant a bit of a downpour....silly me. Anyway the walk was very nice - walked over a bridge to Balboa Island and then took a ferry over to Balboa an

Movin' down the road

Walk/bike path along the beach - Huntington Beach Busy little sandpipers - Huntington beach Pier - Huntington Beach Dog Beach - Huntington Beach First thing this morning I grabbed a little clementine and went over the road to Crescent Bay park. I sat and watched the ocean and listened to the seal lions on Seal rock - they were quite vocal this morning. (seals are quiet - sea lions are the vocal ones. Also a bit of trivia...dolphins are the only other mammals besides humans who mate for enjoyment....two or three times a day...no wonder they look like they have little smiles on their faces!!) Anyway once again I digress....a lady was doing some exercises at the viewpoint. She asked me if I'd like my picture taken (just had my little camera sitting beside me while I ate my clementine) so I said sure so she got three of me in different places - one by the Seal sculpture. It was great. She asked where I was staying so I told her and she is great friends with the owner. I checked out and

I was a good girl..

All the above photos were taken at Crystal Cove State Park Yes I was a good girl and didn't do the race...it broke my heart but I kept busy all day. I am sitting outside typing this...yeah it's a tough old life... First off I had breakfast at a really funky place just a ten minute walk from here, I have been wanting to eat there. It's called the Madison Garden Store and Cafe and it's got everything but the kitchen sink in there. A lot of buddhas and a ton of fountains...luckily they have a toilet! I coudn't see a thing anyone would actually want to buy....but I took picturse of the crazier stuff! I had a bagel with fresh fruit and a lettuce salad. Sorry I could not eat a salad at 8 am.....but I enjoyed the rest. Back to the room and hurray the wifi was back on...it was off last night and earlier this morning. So I was able to look up the bus times for today... Off I went - Seal Beach was my destination. We had to take a detour through Huntington Beach and I was able

Another day in paradise

Top: Sunset from Crescent Bay lookout Middle and bottom: Mission San Juan Capistrano It was a warm one today..whew! Not complaining, not complaining!!! I walked over to the beach by the hotel this morning and then up on the Cliff walk which I love. Never get tired of it. Over to the boardwalk at the Main Beach and then had breakfast at the Greeter cafe by the beach. The Greeter is named for a fellow from Denmark who lived in Laguna Beach from the 40's on - in 1963 he was named official greeter of Laguna Beach! His likeness is on two statues in the city. Anyway I sat outside and had a avocado, bacon and cheese omelette. Very nice - how often can you have that? From there I walked over to the Laguna Bus station where I met Cindy (see previous post)...I took a bus to Dana Point and then had to change busses. Well how the other half lives - I actually got in an elevator to take me to a walkway over the highway and then an elevator down and there I was. I took a picture and joked to the

Her name is Cindy

And she's homeless. I met Cindy at the Laguna Beach bus station. She started chatting to me - all excited as someone from a restaurant had brought over a few packaged meals for her and some of her friends. We got to talking...she said she needed a hair cut and I said it looks pretty short and she said "it has to be really short as I am homeless" She went on to tell me that at one of the shelters another woman grabbed her hair (it was long at the time) and started pulling it so now she makes sure it is very short. She doesn't sleep out at night as it is too scary...she spends the night at Denny's for the price of a coffee so she feels safe. She is disabled and uses a cane. I don't know how Cindy ended up on the street...I know she does smoke and that goes with an addictive personality. Most homeless people smoke...so it could have been drugs, alchohol...who knows. As the saying goes, a lot of people are just a pay cheque away from homelessness. The last I saw o

Flippers!!!

Well today was another full day....I attempted to have breakfast here. Now that I've got cream for my coffee (I have a little fridge) I can drink it here (life is too short to have powered creamer in your coffee). I had bought a pastry and a yogurt....well I nuked the pastry a bit too long and it was inedible and it was interesting trying to eat yogurt with a stir stick. I then held the yogurt up to my face and was squeezing it to get it in my mouth....just glad there is no video footage of THAT!!! Anyway I set off on the #1 bus along the Pacific Coast highway - destination Dana Point which is about a half hour from here. As luck would have it the bus stopped opposite the start point of the walk - I was expecting a walk but the highway is one way at that point so it goes down Del Prado which is where I had to sigbn in. I signed in for the 5km walk. I lucked out again - it went right by the harbour and past the whale watching place. Anyway knowing this I took my time and stopped a

What a fabulous day

Some of the highlights It really was a fab day. I had a pastry (tiny) and a banana then headed out on the 10 km walk. Originally I had planned to do it backward with the ocean first but decided to follow it the correct way. After about 3 km I stopped and had a proper breakfast - I was looking at the map and realized it was a lot of beach walking so no restaurants. I tend to get carried away walking and while I always carry a snack sometimes it isn't enough. I am glad I did as there were hills and lots of stairs and not sure I could have done it on what I had eaten. So I had hueovs rancheros...eggs in a sauce on a tortilla. Very good. Then off I went - the walk went through downtown and then a residential/commerical area that wasn't too attractive - luckily that didn't last long. Crossed over the Pacific Highway and walked along a narrow street with beautiful homes and stairs leading down to the ocean. I stopped many a time to take photographs or walk on the beac

I'm lovin' it!

Huntington Beach pier at sunset Lovely Laguna Beach - this viewpoint was across the highway from my hotel To quote McDonalds...yes I am lovin' it. Arrived on time into Santa Ana, the suitcase was there and was able to get the 2:05 bus (there is only one an hour that stops at the airport) Got a day pass for four dollars and I was off. I had to change at the Newport transit centre but I just stood in the sun and enjoyed. Then the bus down the Pacific Coast highway...went past a beautiful stretch of coast line so I must try to get down there at sunset one day. I saw the hotel and rang the buzzer...the bus driver said he wasn't familiar with the area...duh...you are driving a bus down the highway every day I presume...oh well. I am staying at the Art hotel in Laguna Beach...the owners bought it a few years ago and put art work everywhere (well some of it is debatable as art but still nice). I am opposite the pool area on the second floor. The room is beautiful. Well w

Halfway there..

Well I am sitting in Vancouver airport - free wifi..woo hoo. I am officially in the U.S. now - have cleared customs..yep they let me in. Oops better not joke about that...they might haul my ass out of here. Anyway a landmark day...for my passport anyway...the last time it will be stamped. Cdn passports are such a ripoff - only five years and really you only get four and a half years out of them as your passport has to be good for six months after you enter most countries...it's not quite six months until mine expires...shhh... Made a fool of myself at security - even though we were in a secured area had to go through security again...so had to drink my nearly full bottle of water quickly muttering about well I won't say.....Anyway went through security and asked why my backpack hadn't come through - it's a blue one and these people came through after me and....uh...sorry, it's right beside me on the floor... Cringe....why do I keep doing this to myself. Someone joke